001Okay, with my packet. All right. Um, I make a motion to seal the minutes of executive session. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions. Um, could please stand to a pledge of allegiance. >> Oh, shoot. I go back to that. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> I'm sorry, public comment. I did not mean to if I pass it. Anyone with public comment? >> Yep. There was one vote taken in executive session. Um, two votes taken actually. One in the affirmative and one in the negative. Um, they both passed unanimously and that's pretty much it. [snorts] Could we please Um, but there was no public comment. Nope.
002All right. Facilities update. Barry, you're up. >> Uh, everything seems to be going good. Um, just working on capital for uh this coming season when we're closed. So hopefully we get the roof done and we do some parking lot stage. Um otherwise things seem to be going pretty good. >> Good. >> Broilers are running great. >> How this is a good year to have them. Have we noticed a difference with expense with heat with fuel? >> It's hard to say. This is a cold and this is a cold winter. >> Yeah, >> we have not had one, but it feels nice. It feels like is it keeping up with the building? >> Oh yeah, they're not. It's not Neither one of them are running even close to 100%. Really? >> Yeah. >> That's awesome. That's
003great. >> Yeah, I know. And the [clears throat] heat's been warm. >> I mean, you're in here every day. I mean, couple >> a couple mornings you get, yo, hey, can you bump it up a degree here? D, you know, drop it a degree. But otherwise, I think for the most part, the the entire school is like 69.1 to 71, >> Danielle. So, nothing like before. It's much more good. Like, we had rooms that were cold >> and rooms that were hot as hell. >> Yeah. No one's opening their windows. Awesome. >> Everything's closed up. Everything's tight. super, you know, >> yeah, >> everything's everything's been working really really well. So, >> and some basic amount of little repairs here and there, but >> we're kind of doing capital now, too, right? >> Yeah, we
004can do it, too. >> Capital. Um, well, how's that nonsense going? >> So, uh I think you've got a consent order. You've already signed it once. I think they just kind of want to update it again. >> So, that is still ongoing. Um they extended it out to 2027 or 28 to get the well done now because they the state keeps adding all these >> they keep changing they keep moving the target >> and a lot of it they're you know now they're all over the well guy for the because you got to do build America by America vice versa >> you can't >> and I know we were just dealing with it you know like the well pump like I don't know like all the components of the well pump were they all made
005and built in America? Like probably not, >> right? >> You know, so it's like they go through all this and then at the end they say, "Oh, well, I mean, okay, I guess that's okay." But they drag it out. So they're asking like right now they've been contacting the well company and saying, "Hey, you know, we just want to see, you know, you do the build now." They signed the form saying that they did, but now they want to see >> what was the pump that was put in. And I mean, I was that three years ago. I mean, it was before I got here. So >> yeah. Um, so we're just we're still there. We're just >> Did they just keep moving? >> They go they keep changing the guidelines. >> It's like slow
006motion. They want, you know, like we had talked about as this person and then um you know I can't even think OPM. >> Now my question is who's paying for these water bottles all this time? We are right as a school. Yes. >> Yeah. I >> mean I get that they're paying for the well. We're getting a grant for the well. But still but we're paying for all these water bottles every day. 180 days of the school year. >> Is there anything that we can do to help expedite it? >> No, >> it's all state. >> It's all department of health. You can't randomly change Department of Health. Yeah. >> And they keep changing, you know, adding more stuff. >> No, you have city water to do well. >> Make it more stringent. I mean,
007everything on it. >> The city is probably worse than that. >> Because I know when we started this whole thing, they said EPA said that they were going to change their regs in three years. >> I have an account. >> So that's when I kind of got the EPA involved said, "Hey, let's feeling. >> Let's make sure that they're going to engineer this for the regs in three years, not >> today. And then we're going to be out of compliance in three years. I don't want to do it twice. >> No. No. >> Are we buying the water? Are we getting the water through Sedexo? Like >> No, we're buying it. >> No. Got a very good WB Mason now. >> Oh, by the pallet. >> No. What do we got like 20 25 bottles
008of >> Yeah. Oh, the big ones. You want the big ones? >> Pay like $5 a bottle. >> Oh, nice. Yeah, cuz the other company >> Oh, so they can fill up their water bottles that way. So, at least we're not using plastic water bottles everywhere. >> Go to the landfill. [laughter] >> Yeah. Because the other company, Primo, bought every single water company. Like, they bought them all. They bought all of them. Like, didn't matter who you call. >> That's not a monopoly, is it? >> They if you're gonna hold something, might as well own all the water. And uh >> and uh WB Mason was like the only other one that that they'll deliver like that you call and they deliver on time. They show up. So, >> I guess you didn't like Fremont.
009>> Oh, no. They're horrible. >> You never got >> You couldn't [clears throat] get a hold of anybody. Kim went through hell talking about the rules. >> They would not show up. They They We do deliveries. We call them. They say, "Oh, yeah. It's on the truck that be delivered." Delivery would never show up. >> I mean, we were [clears throat] running the supermarket to go get bottles of water. So, we >> We can't The kids need water. >> Yeah. >> So, >> now what happens if they don't have a water bottle? I'm sorry to be ignorant. So, what happens if they don't have a refillable water bottle? Do we have cups? >> Yeah. Yeah, the nearest has come into the office. >> Oh my god. And most kids have refillable re like reflect. [laughter]
010[clears throat] >> No, no, no, no, no. They have water in there. They're they're good with all that. So, yeah, most of the stuff is already somewhat prepared anyway. >> So, >> it's just a pain. But, I mean, you know, >> extra work. >> It's just a Yeah, it's a pain. supposed to be a temporary thing. It's like you're you're free of it. >> Yeah. We're not the only school district doing it. So, >> No. Is there anything else in the capital that we should be? >> I said there was a consent thing for that and then there was a form for to sign for the engineer to do the roofing, do the engineering on the roofing and get everything submitted through ride and all that. Our approval tonight. >> Yeah. It's just for the
011flat part of the roof. We're not looking Make a motion to approve the Captain Isaac Payne school consent agreement extension for the well project. >> Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Absentions. >> I'd like to make a motion uh to approve the proposal for architectural design services for the flat roof replacement as presented. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Yeah. The the only reason this is required is so we can get reimbursement, right? Otherwise, you could just >> Yeah, we could, but it's probably best to have the engineer. I I mean, >> I hate spending the money on the but >> they're the ones who put it all through Ride and do all that stuff >> for the for the Now, is the roof is that refund? Like, is that money back?
012Is that a cap? Is that considered capital projects for a reimbursement? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And we may add we may add to that project to do windows and do a few other things discussed. >> So, it's it's just it's opening that door. >> Okay. Is this the same company that did the roof in what was it 2010? >> This is just the engineering. So this would have to go into bit. >> I understand that. But in 201 process to have to do the roof because the roof collapsed, >> right? I don't think it [laughter] was >> I just didn't know it was the same. >> Yeah, we Yeah. >> Yeah. It's the architect specifically. I mean, we already pretty much have everything already done because our roofing company did kind of
013the manufacturer of the product. >> Already kind of did a whole spec on everything anyway, but we still got to go through the engineer, submit everything to Ride, and then still put it out the bid. But, >> but Brendan, um, we I called Ride Mario and he said, "We're such a drop in the bucket compared to what other schools are asking for. They do expedite these projects right through. There'll be no hold up." >> That's good. Some of them take forever. No. No. Yeah. >> Because our the dollar amount that we're dollar amount that we're asking for is minimal compared to these other district. >> Exactly. And that's what he told me. And >> Yep. Okay. And your um your engineer, he knew and he knows about it, so he knows him. So >> what
014is going to a flat roof? Is this something new? >> Is that a rubber roof? >> Um >> are we doing? >> Yeah, we're gonna do some of the same. They're gonna It'll be pitched out more because now they use the foam insulation. You got to bring up the R value because once you strip that roof by law, by code, you have to bring up the you have to put more insulation in. So, it'll have a little more pitch. So, get rid of the water versus it standing up there. Um, typically 20 year warranty. >> See, I thought a rubber roof had a longer lifespan than an architectural shingle. >> Yeah, it's on it's on shingles. It depends on what you put up there. >> I used I had because I just had to do
015a rubber roof on my house and they told me it was 50 years. I don't know if I bought more expensive, if I got better. >> It could be. I mean, it's it could be. >> I just So, when it comes forward to us, if whoever does the plan, if they could let us know what the lifespan is, if that could be part of the bid. >> I think we need to look at it as >> 16 2010. I don't know if we did the rubber roof. >> Okay. >> We because the flat roof didn't collapse. It was this end that collapsed. >> I don't know if they reof. >> We did not touch that end. It was only this end where the we had to rebuild. This is where the collapse took place is
016this end. So, we did not touch that end. >> Yeah. So, it's just the two flat spots. Um, and again, we can look at it and say, you know, what do the manufacturers have? Do they have a 20, a 30, 40, 50? I mean, we can look at all the different roof is the bigger the warranty. >> It's doing the other side, right? >> Where is this roof, Barry? >> The front of the building. And >> so, there's going to be it's the front over by the kindergarten in that right in that entryway. >> Yeah. and by the offices right above the offices and between the gymnasium and and that that flat spot area. >> Okay. >> So, yeah, if we could kind of when they put in when they do the bid process, they
017could let us know what the life expectancy is of the of this. So, if we're willing to spend a little bit more to make it a 50-year instead of a 20 year >> you know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> Is that okay with the committee? >> Yeah, we can get options for sure. >> I think I think we should look at the options. Absolutely. And see what's best and >> go with that. Perfect. So, there's a motion. There's a second. >> And we'll keep We're going to try and address the air circulation issues in the the gym as part of this, too. >> Oh, good. >> The windows, they're all unusable. >> Cocked and sealed. And >> and honestly, >> so we going to do skylights. What are you going to do? How you
018going to address the air ventilation? >> If we could pull if we could pull all the windows out, maybe put in a different type of window. Oh, something that's using >> maybe something that doesn't open at all but just allows the light in because again if we have to >> bring the insulation up to pitch the roof, we may be >> higher into the window. So we may have to build up put a smaller window in but then while we're up there >> putting some ventilation >> just put an exhaust fan on one end. Yeah. >> And air take off. >> Actually an exhaust fan would be the easiest thing. >> Let it exhaust fan is the easiest thing. >> That's good. put some fans in there or something like that in the in the
019gym just, >> you know, something to circulate some air. >> Yeah. Once it starts to warm up, you'll see what happens on that roof. >> Oh, he saw it last year. >> Well, with this much snow, it'll really be apparent quick. It just slides off, right? >> Wow. >> But luckily, I mean, we'll be good. We haven't had >> any leaks in the school. Everything's been tight. >> But we had so But we had, you know, those guys are up there all the time patching, but it was like we spent crazy money. So now, all right, this is a question. We did do snow. We used to have it was in our budget to shovel to shovel off the roofs. >> Um, is are we at that point yet? >> No, because we're all pitched.
020I wouldn't >> Do we need to after this? All right. So, if we have to after this storm on Sunday, just do it. It's in the budget. >> Okay. I don't think that we need to, but >> there is a history here. So, >> yeah, >> that's all. It was my first year on my first year on the roof collapsed and our superintendent interim superintendent had lung cancer. So that was the first three months. [clears throat] >> Yeah. I had to find an interim superintendent and find replacement and find a place for 300 kids. >> Yeah. >> Wow. >> It was fun. >> It was >> Was it a pitch roof before a flat? >> It It was pitched before. Really? So I mean it's the same pitch here. >> It's not It's a modest
021pitch. It's not a >> It's not a pitch. I Yeah. So, I can go through some of the loading criteria and stuff and some of the issues from then afterwards if it would be of help. >> I'm just worried about the snow on Sunday if they if we get it. I know Kim is trying to will it out to see. >> She's willing it. She's willing it out to see. I love it. But just in case she doesn't will hard enough >> sometimes. >> Yeah, we can do that. I mean, talk to, you know, I don't want any of our guys because we don't >> No, no, no. Wouldn't be No. It has to be a company else. >> Yeah. It's a vendor and we had it in the budget. As long as it's under
0225,000, we can It doesn't need to go out to bid. >> No. >> Yeah. >> The other thing that they did before is the fire department actually removed the snow with just water, >> which sounds counterintuitive, but they just kind of hosed it off. >> Yeah. >> But yeah, that's great if it's not 9 degrees. >> I was going to say, is that going to freeze and cause another issue? >> What they did last time? [laughter] >> Yeah. All right. So, there's a motion. There's a second. Any more discussion on that? All those in favor? >> I I oppose absentions. Okay, Barry, go home. Thank you. >> Thanks. S >> under the capital project updates to just as a update for this committee. I went to the planning board and they didn't have any issue
023with what we um presented and what >> you mean the the zero money that we're asking for and >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's right. Yeah, >> they were fine with that. >> Well, I was there for a different reason. I wasn't there for that. This we so happened to be in the same night. >> Yeah. I mean, I I tried to, you know, present it in such a way that we're part of the same team as the rest of the town and we're being good team players as we have been for the last few years, you know, working with them and using our our funds to to support these projects. >> Brenda did make a point though. He goes, "We will support our projects as long as we can, but there is going to be
024coming a time when we can't anymore." But I will tell you, it's a good thing that we are funding them because there's no money. >> There's no money. So we are lucky so that we have this money. So thank you Mike for being a good business manager and making the money be there. >> It's all good luck. It's not me. >> Barry, go home. Thank you. >> Bye. >> Good luck. >> May the luck be ever. >> All right. So there was a motion. There's a second that passed. We're good. Um I make a motion to approve the open and executive minutes of October 28th, 2025. >> Second. >> School committee meeting. Um any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. of sensions. I make a motion to approve the bills as listed
025on warrant 1109 dated November 24th, 2025 in the amount of 391,567.60. I make a motion um as well as warrant 1122 December 5th, 2025 for the total of $8,55 and the warrant number $144 dated December 2nd, 2025 for the amount of 139,9112 and warrant number 1166 dated January 24th, 2026 for the total amount of $253,247.3. 3 cents. >> Second. >> Any discussion on any of those warrants? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. >> I lumped it all together, Kim. Is that going to mess you up? >> No, not at all. >> Okay, >> got it. >> All right. Business manager report. Mike, how's the budget looking? >> It's okay. I uh I gave [laughter] the transfers kind of reflect what's happening. Uh, I did it about a month ago, so I haven't looked
026at it since, but I think it could go either way this year. I think we could have a small surplus or a small deficit. >> Okay. So, nothing major concerning. >> No, it's not going to nothing nothing's going to be large this year. There's going to be a small deficit or a small surplus. >> We'll see how tuitions and transportation go. That's >> that's pretty much it. >> That's basically it. Yeah. >> Um, when are you going to be ready to start budget meetings? >> Next week. I'll I'll have the first draft finished over the weekend and Kath and I will sit down next week to review it. I can tell you right now you're going to need 4% from the town. >> We kind of figured we we knew that you called that before.
027>> I hope. Yeah. And uh we'll go from there. Try to make we'll make sure we'll give you a balanced budget, but it's going to take a little get doing some cutting to get there. >> Yeah, I know. >> So, how much time do you guys want to do your thing before we meet as a committee? We've been talking so I don't think we need much time. I just just looking at staffing and making sure that we're on the same page. >> Yeah. So, do you want to pick dates now as a committee? >> So, the week after next is the Well, that's not the school vacation week, but I'm going to be away at the end of the week. >> Which one? The 6th 7th. >> The following week is vacation. >> Yeah. >>
028The week of 9th. >> 16th through the 20th is vacation. But I'm going to be out starting the 11th. >> Okay. So, you could do the 9th or the 10th perhaps. >> Sure. >> Wait a minute. Wasn't the ninth and the 10th? It's not a Monday, is it? >> Yeah. Monday, Tuesday. >> Okay. I can't do the first Monday or the second Monday of the month. >> Okay. >> Only because that's my regular cran. >> Well, say we could also do We used to do one in the morning and one at night. So, if that works for you or we do >> in the morning. Yeah, I do. >> Brendon, is morning doable for you? Eileen, I know that you're babysitting now. >> I can do it. >> You can do mornings? >> Oh, yeah.
029I can do mornings. That's no problem. >> All right. So, the ninth or the 10th work in the morning, which is better for you, >> either. >> Eileen, what's better for you? >> Uh, probably the ninth. >> Okay. >> Is the ninth okay for you in the morning? >> Yeah. >> Brendon, what time do you need to do? >> Uh, as early as possible, but I'll work around you guys. >> 7:30. Work for anybody here? >> Yep. >> Eileen, is that >> That's fine. >> Kim, >> yes, I'm here. I'm here anyway. >> Yes. Oh, absolutely. >> Yeah. [clears throat] Brendan, 7:30. Is that early enough? >> Oh, it's perfect. >> Okay. So, 7:30 on the Mike, 7:30 February 9th. You're the most important one. I'm not everybody else but not you. >> Monday Super
030Bowl, you know. >> Oh, >> no. The day after the Super Bowl. >> What? >> The 9th is the Monday after the Super Bowl. >> All right. You know, Patriots are doing great. But I don't know how they're going to do. >> Six disappointed people in this room. [laughter] >> You'll have six disappointed people in this room, but not me. >> I'm just talking about a 7:30 meeting if the Super Bowl is that night. No matter. >> He's still got to go to work. >> It's It's a Monday. Is a Monday a problem? Oh, okay. I know. One day. Mondays I'm always >> okay. >> I'll be there. >> All right. It's okay for Mike, too. >> All right. So, 7:30 >> on the 9th. >> Kim, please send a reminder because I will forget.
031Although, it's my birthday, so I won't forget. >> Yes. >> Something. [clears throat] >> All right. So, 7:30 the 9th. >> All right. Thanks. Um, all right. Captain Isaac Pain, [clears throat] email use. I know that Eileen askked about this and then Brendan asked about cyber security. Kind of put them together because it was about the same presentation, >> right? Yeah. >> Okay. Eileen, do you want to go first? >> Um, I just thought um what Reese had to say at the region really um made sense. I think um having a secure email. I think um I printed out Reese's presentation. He made a lot of great points and it I just thought like a district provided email adopters protection and I don't think it would hurt for the committee for the committees to >>
032Yeah. >> So >> Okay. Thank you. [snorts] >> So I just think it's more professional. I think it's >> I don't know. I just think it's more professional and we should really consider it. Now, who's um then? So, it would be an um FG schools, a pain school email. >> We already use >> a pain school email, not an FG schools. It be a pain >> school email. Yeah. But in um Dave and Rhysa are IT people, so it's not like it'd be difficult to set it up. So, >> they can be Yeah. So, Brenda, what was your concern? My concern was more let's cons well I think sort of building on what Eileen was getting at is that they're they're planning to roll out some increased uh cyber security as well as just you
033know information management at the region. I think parts of that at the very least would be worthwhile for us to consider including here. Um or just having them make recommendations for here may some of it may not be as applicable to a you know one school district as the region. Um and some of it depends on how we use the emails too. Um I guess I'm not a huge fan of the extra email addresses. I think it gets confusing at some point. uh partly just by virtue of personally it's hard to manage a lot of email addresses. I know they all go to the same spot for me anyway. So like it all shows up in my one Gmail inbox wherever they come from. >> Um but the other thing is I think it might
034be hard for constituents too to differentiate between like FG schools, you know, paying school, you know, I'm not sure that that's the bigger the biggest risk that we face as a district. you know, because a lot of that has to do with not so much receiving emails as sending in emails and what you do with the information once it's there. So, I think what I I asked for this added more just to get a sense from this committee if there was interest in engaging with Dave and Ree to get their recommendations >> um to help us >> with their it security in general, cyber security in general. >> Get their recommendations. We can accept them. We can not accept them, but just to hear what they have to say. I think it I think it
035would be valid for Kathy to get some recommendations, talk to Dave and just see what are they doing because like you said in the email, Eileen, that Jim was hacked. >> Yeah, >> Jim was and that was a pain in school email. >> So, it can happen to any email. I mean, it's >> and not only that, then Lauren was hacked and um who else was hacked? One of the teachers was it um it was text. It was Dawn received text and they received she received it from me >> to Dawn but Dawn said recognized it. Weird. >> So somehow they have but see my personal phone number's on my >> Yeah. It's all >> Cranston card and it's on your card because that's how people can you know get I can't not I can't
036have only an office phone. Yeah. >> So um somehow but we caught it right away. Dawn caught it and um >> but it happens. I mean >> caught it and >> artificial intelligence all that happens so quickly and yeah so I think that would be a valid point >> to have a conversation with Dave and Ree to see what recommendations they can make to make our servers or whatever more secure. >> It's it's the servers are part of it. I mean that's the the school is is one thing even us as committee members and those who serve in the administrative function here. It's what we do with the information once you get it. Like I can have a paying school email address and that's great, you know, until it gets to me, right? And then
037say Mike sends me the super confidential financial documents, you know, and he emails it to me and if I download it to my personal device, doesn't really matter at that point. Like it's out of the school's control. >> Yeah. >> So there there's a whole piece to it that the email address is just a little bit that's just >> that's just the the road. You know, I can print it out, I can forward it on, I can do whatever I want with it at that point. So there's a part about like maybe giving us some guidance on best practices for storing information and for disposing of information too. We have all these paper copies of stuff like I mean I think I brought up at the region like I literally have like 4 foot towers
038of folders at home that I have no idea what to do with. >> Oh you don't have a fireplace that's kind of them and I get these little I got the little clips that appear everywhere you know but it's just too much. But like even that stuff, you know, there we we share a lot of information that's executive in nature that we need to be mindful of and we need to have a way >> Yeah. >> both electronic and paper on how to handle it. And I think they can help us. >> So Cranston has we all have um Cranston emails, >> but we can't download anything from the Cranston email. It stays in that little box there, you know. But even at that, I got something that came into that box, you know, that
039was, you know, I sent it to our tech person, Donna. And again, it's it was a scam type thing. And another member, >> even to Cranston, even >> to a secured box, it doesn't matter. It happens to everything. >> These people that think of these things, if they only put it towards good, imagine where we >> what they accomplish. Yeah. I I I fully support whatever we can do to secure like whatever we can do for technology to help secure everything. I personally do not want another email address >> because I have to go into separate emails all the time. They don't go to my same inbox. I don't know. I don't know how you do that, Brendan. >> I I Gmail power of Gmail compels. >> Oh, all together. Yeah. No, I don't. I
040have like they're all over the place. So, it's just it's more work for me >> and like and it seems like it doesn't make a difference if Jim got hacked and Yeah. doesn't. >> So, do you want to invite David to your next meeting? >> No, I just think Do you want him to come here or do you want him just talk to Kathy and see what Kathy wants? >> He he consults with you if it's appropriate for him to come >> because I watched the presentation on the on YouTube. I watched that. >> Oh, okay. So, you guys have seen the presentation. >> I watched I think he's like it's super informative and I appreciate I think we give him some space >> and whatever you want to >> figure out what forward as
041a recommendation. >> I will. Okay. There's stuff that we can do better. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Perfect. Um, he's I'm gonna we're gonna meet tomorrow. So, >> they have paint school email addresses at some point. I feel like I did. >> I don't know. I don't know. I never I told my neighbor wanted one. >> Yeah. I think they didn't I think Mike rolled them out at one point and then someone did. >> I have a pain email. >> I can just email myself now. See if it shows up. [laughter] I don't know where it goes. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, superintendent. Nope. Yep. Superintendent report. Principal report. Sorry. >> Yeah. Um okay. So um the principal has uh the Captain Isaac Payne Elementary School school improvement plan. He worked with
042a group of teachers, parents um himself and they put together because the school improvement plan had expired. All right. And uh >> they're required by state too. >> Right. He has or you know we sent it into the state and these are some of the priorities that we're looking at. the the dates are wrong on the cover page here. So, okay. It is a five-year plan. >> Oh, he's got to do this for next year. >> Yeah, it's our plan expired. So, >> okay. >> Yeah, he's got Yeah. All right. Give it back to me for a minute. Okay. So, the priorities are there listed. Naturally, we're improving English language arts proficiency and um they put measurable goals in each one of the goals, which is important. You see the measurable goals, you got to
043be able to measure it to know if you've been successful across improving math, which I'm going to talk about tonight. Measurable goals for math as well. All right. Um and the next goal there is improving science proficiency. Um, which we also want to do because we're purchasing a new science curriculum for next year. So, we put measurable goals for that. >> A question on that for the science curriculum. >> Yes. >> Um, is it the same curriculum that Fogerty and West Gloucester use? >> I have no idea. It's we chose it from the state list that we have to >> Yeah. And um a group of teachers piloted it. Y >> and this is what they chose >> because if you look at the science scores for Captain Isaac of pain versus West Glouster and
044Fogerty, science for Fogerty is 60%. Science for West Gloucester is 71 and science for Captain Isaac Pain is 34. >> Correct. >> So I just think it might be beneficial because we're a feeder. We're feeding everyone to the middle school. It just blows my mind that we're not using the same curriculum. So when all the kids get to the middle school, it's a level playing field where they're all learning from the same well, they're learning concepts. It doesn't have to be the exact same curriculum. Being a former science and math teacher, it are the concepts. So this curriculum meets all the standards that are required of science. I think there's probably been a little bit of a problem again with a little bit of lack of professional development in ELA, math and science. Okay, we
045were using just Gemnet. Gemset is not a curriculum. It is not. Okay, there science kits which we purchased from the University of Rhode Island and that's what they were using. That doesn't meet the science standards of the state. So the committee looked at the standards and that's how they chose. I I have no idea how you know the two fogy school use it. But now that we are having professional development in ELA, math and science, we should that's why we have measurable goals to see if there's an improvement >> in that. You know, things just kind of [clears throat] fell by the wayside a little bit. are doing more with providing the teachers with the professional development that they need um in these areas because the scores the test scores as you know were not
046good in any of the areas. So we're hoping now and with the change also in the scheduling Eileen some teachers would use the gem now then some we're not using all >> that was last year not this year >> not yeah no >> that was last year not with the new schedule this year >> right they're piloting right so now we have ELA in the morning and math in the morning and we have an ELA 90 block and a 60 block which is recommended then right after lunch we have the sciences so it is so I can go in and look at any point in time in the day and I can see that going on and so can Jim. Okay. So, I think you'll see an improvement, but I'll check and see what they
047use. >> Yeah. Is there downside to reaching out to them and seeing what they use? I mean, it seems like >> I don't know whether they use Gemset or not to be honest. I don't know that. I don't know. >> How they're prepping them for I mean there's something that's happening different, right? >> Yeah. But again, there's a lot of leadership issues. You know, they've had us Yes. So, all right. So then the next one is improving the school climate which I I think we're doing presently in um being a little more being transparent also with our communication with parents but we feel we can also you know do a little bit better with that. So those are the initiatives going forward um with uh the Isaac pain. Any questions? Jim was going to be
048here to present but he has a little back issue from shoveling all the snow. So, don't need to stay home tonight. >> How many folks were on the school improvement team? >> Was it? >> I don't know. Okay. That was the principal's team. >> I could find out >> required. Isn't that required? >> No. Okay. >> No. And we did reach out to and we had some parents and some members of the community that were Yeah, we had parents >> just because I know that that was one of the concerns that was raised last year was making sure that they had a voice in the process >> and because we have to do a district strategic plan as well. Um we will be doing that now that this is committee is going. Um the plan
049for the district is up this year. Uh Renee did reach out and I have Mike's plan was the last plan. Um, so I said to her, "We've got to form our committee first, you know, um, and I have to be on that particular committee." And I said, "And we're probably going to do similar, you know, global goals to what we have here because we're small." And then I said, "I'll send them to you and then if you send me, you know, go, we'll get together and if there's something that we have in common because correct, then she'll put it all, you know, together." >> Okay. Yeah. because it used to be I think a tri- district plan, right? I think that was >> Yes. Yes, it was a tri district. I have a copy of
050it, but I guess Mike at the time was superintendent in all the areas, so he did it. >> Yeah. >> It was Yeah. >> Okay. So, yep. It'll be a tri district. Absolutely. >> Will it be a tri district? >> No. But it's going to be in consultation consultation. Yes. >> Okay. There are probably some things like I'm gonna say social emotional which will be common to all of us. >> Yeah. >> Foster blaster >> asking about the report. >> Yeah. Yep. Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Can we address the principal's report now? We're on superintendent report. >> Okay. Superintendent's report. All right. First of all, we have our appointments taking place here. We have Sally Dagustinino Pisuro, part-time school psychologist at Payne Elementary School, effective December 1st, 2025 in accordance with the educational support personnel
051contract. She's just a part-time. We call her in just to do the psychological testing we need for special ed. We did have a person that was doing that, but now we have this um new person on board. Alikas V Lisa Vargas Synappy. She's the part-time special ed director for the 2627 school year at Payne Elementary School. We have Caitlyn Whipple who's a new teacher 1.0 and special education teacher effective January 5th, 2026 in accordance with the foster teachers association contract. And she lives right across the street. She can walk to work. So if we need a place in evacuation, we can go right up that road. I told her and we've [laughter] got a house with a bathroom. But anyway, um yeah. And then um we hired Molly Brunell who came with Caitlyn um from
052Burabil Special Education Instructional Teacher Assistant at Payne effective January 5th, 2026. In accordance with the educational support personnel contract, uh we've had resignations of Emily Alessworth who's resigned for the position of special ed instructional teacher assistant for the 2526 school year. And we have Cynthia Horton who also resigned from the position of special education instructional teacher assistance for the 2526 school year. We had a termination of Molly Brunell. >> From the position of special education instructional teacher assistant effective January 22nd, 201 >> Yeah. No, no, it's fine. >> Talk after Yeah. >> Yeah. No, it's fine. Oh, just Okay, that didn't Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. >> Which is the one that came from both of us? >> That one. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, >> did we end up
053posting for um the part-time special education director? >> Yes, >> we did. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And we [clears throat] don't have to nothing to approve here because you don't it's all it's a superintendent notifying. >> It's just an update. Just an update. >> Perfect. >> How long is the posting? >> Okay. Do we close on two? >> Okay. So, afterchool math program, we got another grant to do an afterschool math program. And Abby Abby Salvatore is going to do it again uh this year. So, we're very happy about that. And um we wanted to put the award in here to show you we have this award. It was very successful last year and she's going to do it again next year. I really uh Yeah, it's really good for the students and we
054had students that were actively involved >> participate. Yes. Oh, yes. Oh yes, absolutely. >> Okay. So that's >> who does Abby write the grant? >> Who writes the grant? >> Yeah, it's Abby. >> Oh, really? Thank you. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Well, we get the money. Yeah. So, yeah. And Abby works with Mike. [snorts] Um and she really Mike does the budget piece. >> Budget and Abby does. That's awesome. Thank you. >> Oh, it is. >> Thank you. >> And now, so I'm going to do a little bit of a shout out here because we have two outstanding coaches. Victoria Thorp and Erin Thompson and they have been working very very hard with our teachers. Erin's in the math area and Victoria is in the ELA area. Now, we do an assessment at
055the beginning of the school year and then we do an assessment at in the middle of the school year. And >> I'm sorry to interrupt you. Is this just school just for the school? Does it >> just this is just for a school? This is our accountability piece. Okay. for the new schedule and for the curriculum that they're using. Um, and I am so happy to give a shout out to the two fifth grade teachers. Okay. And where is my >> right? Right here. >> Oh, yeah. There you go. >> Okay. To the two fifth grade teachers, um, Mrs. Wright's class and Mrs. Bancowskus. She's the new teacher. They had an unbelievable increase in their math scores. They were so excited. We give a shout out to them. It's >> awesome. >> And yes, it's
056absolutely wonderful. And Mrs. Culo's class and Mrs. Malone's class, the same thing. A very good increase in math scores. Now, I'm giving a shout out because I was in these classes and um I saw for myself what was going on in math. I also want to give a shout out to Danielle Ford. I was in her second grade class twice for a math lesson and Danielle did an absolutely excellent job. I even went into Dawn Gilmet's class and Danielle will tell you and she had those little ones on the rug and she said, "Oh, I'm glad you're here." Said, "We're doing math." And those little prek >> Oh, prek. >> Yes. Was doing math. Absolutely. And also another shout out to our um long-term sub Kim. Um she was working with two special education students
057in Mrs. Malone's class and in math following the math curriculum and she was there with them as their par profofessional and those students were doing the work in that classroom. So, a shout out to those people this month. And as I said, it's not to say that's all. I just haven't gotten the time to just sit there and go in and watch our other teachers, but I intend to do that. So, they're doing a wonderful job, especially in that math with that 60 minutes and following that curriculum with the professional development provided by Aaron Thompson. Now, ELA2 is coming up as well. It's not coming up as fast, but I'm sure you're going to see a change and I'm really positive about Ridecast scores and that we're going to see a change in the Ridcast
058scores uh this year. So, I'm very proud of them and I'm very happy about that. And if you look at those scores from the beginning to the second, it's really important. You can see movement and that's what we want to see. That's what we want to see. We're probably not going to see too much movement in science again this year because we're attacking it this year. But we're moving along and I'm very very proud of the teachers and the paraprofessionals that also help and work with our students in the classroom. They're doing an excellent job. They're doing an excellent job. Beautiful. Okay. [laughter] So that's >> Thank you. That's it. >> Does anybody have any questions for Kathy >> or anything you like to add? Perfect. Thank you, Kathy. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All
059right. All right. In our packet, we were provided the school committee calendar for the year. Um, I make a motion to approve the annual foster school committee calendar for 2026 as presented. >> Second. >> Does anyone have any concerns? >> No discussion. >> Maybe just flag that november meeting and tenative December meeting. Right. >> And this gets posted on Secretary of State website. Correct. Okay. >> So, if anybody pulls this up on the meetings, I should be right there. So, >> yep. No further discussion. All those in I. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. Thank you. Um, election of chair and vice chair. >> I'd like to make a motion to nominate Charlie Peasant to continue as chair for the foster school committee. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All right. I think
060you're doing a [laughter] great job managing this committee. >> Always. Thanks, Brendon. >> I appreciate it. keep keep it keep it going for this year. Uh I don't envy the task particularly the public meeting portion when we have the annual meeting. The one thing you know I think that I've seen some growth this year is just listening to the committee members. We kind of keep going there. Um it helps kind of keep the internal friction down on our committee. So >> it's a good thing. >> Thank you. I appreciate any advice I can get. I appreciate the support. Anything else? All those in favor? >> I abstain. Opposed. So I abstain. Um I make a motion to nominate Brendan Mara as vice chair for the foster school committee. >> Second. >> Thank you Brendan. Doing
061a great job. >> Say nice things. >> Hi Brendon. [laughter] Go Brendon. >> I was waiting for >> Go Brendan. Thank you for doing all thank you for being there when I'm not. >> Oh my goodness. Thank you for all the capital projects and planning. [laughter] You're always so calm. I envy you. Um all those in favor. >> Opposed? I absent. So 2011. Appointment of school committee clerk. I make a motion to appoint Kim Sors as school committee clerk for 2026. >> Sorry Kim if you don't want to be it, but you're all it. >> Thanks. >> Thank you for all everything you do. Like you respond to our emails on weekends, you answer texts on the weekends. Like you go above and beyond, Kim. So, thank you. >> Yeah, I think I I sent
062Kim texts. It was like it [clears throat] was late. >> I have no life. Don't worry about it. >> Thank you. >> I hear about those. >> Yeah, [laughter] usually I trouble. >> She does. >> All those in favor? >> I oppose. Absent. school lunch, food option, share table, and new federal guidelines for school lunches. I asked for the new federal guidelines to be on there. Um, and then the food. I know this was on there anyway. Have we noticed an increase in sales? I know. >> No, >> I I haven't been really paying attention, so I don't I don't get that information. So, >> that's fine. >> We had we had a little increase in breakfast cuz I kind of go down there every morning that I'm here in chocolate chip muffins are a
063hit. We ran short. We ran short every time. They're the big hit. That's what the kids want. I mean, they though they sell out. >> We don't do egg wraps or anything. Can we not do egg wraps? Do they not go? >> Do >> they don't like >> They're not great. They taste great. >> They're not great now. We had a taste. >> We did a taste test. >> How's the shria? Has that been out there again? >> I don't think that's out there. Once once a month maybe. >> Maybe. Yeah, I think so. >> Maybe. >> Yeah. >> But now the problem is with the new federal guidelines, they have to use more real food. Yeah. >> Right. But that's coming. That would not be probably for this year. Maybe next year. She's going
064to be definitely for the side of the school yet. They have to use less processed crap. >> I haven't been looking at the menu. How has the menu been lately? How is the new um Sedexo rep? I like her. Great. So, that's great. >> Is she perceptive? Like she's listening. >> Kitchen worker, too. And she's very nice. Very nice. >> Oh, you have new kitchen. Oh, one. Yeah. And she's very nice. She very accommodating. Very good with the kids. Yep. And the line's going well, you know. Um the way Jim has it set up, it's going very well as far as organization in there. >> Good. We have you have any issues. >> Is the share tables up? Has that been >> Yes. Yes. I'm just trying to think. Yeah. Where it is. Yep. >>
065I mean, I do I didn't pick up on the federal guidelines if they changed the portion size. So, that's something we've complained about for the long >> I see that on there. >> That's like the fact that a kindergartener gets the same amount of protein as a fifth grader is >> but they're not asking. They're the trays go up. They get everything put on the tray and they go. So, last year they were just, "Oh, I don't want that." Nope. >> Nope. We told them put them on the trays, you know. >> Yep. >> Good. And maybe and we did get that grant for the food choices. Hopefully that that's the rock. We got that >> for the fresh samples. Good. Kids love that. Thank you. >> Oh, I know they do. Which is And
066I'm glad it gets >> get utilized. Yes. >> For the kids. Absolutely. >> All right. So there's nothing we're not changing. There's no motion. There's nothing was just discussion, I guess. So yes, >> I'll find out a little bit about how the numbers for your next meeting just for the next meeting too. >> All right. Thank you for the update. I appreciate that. So approval of the memorandum of agreement between the foster school committee and the NEA foster education support personnel ESP. Um I make a motion to approve the MOA between the foster school committee and the NEA foster education support personnel association as presented. >> Second. Um I assume that you guys looked at this. >> This is just to get us through the year. >> Okay. That's all it is. >> Oral program,
067right? >> Okay. Got it. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions? Um I make a motion to approve the MOA between Foster Education Association, ESP, NERI, and NEA, and Foster School Committee as presented. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion on this? >> The the numbers reflect Mike's numbers for this. This is for the lunch aids. I forgot to put them in the contract. Eileen picked it up. What? This morning? Yep. Kim, you called me. >> Yep. We changed it. >> What was in the MOA was not Mike's numbers, but they approving Mike's numbers. So, what you're approving is what Mike had agreed to. >> For Mike's numbers. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Can you say what that is? You mean it's an hourly >> for the for the launch? >> It's the
068steps. We never put steps, right? We never put it in the contract. >> It was left out of the contract. >> Agreed. Yeah. Agreed. So really those numbers haven't changed. >> It wasn't in the contract >> on the MOA. [clears throat] The MOA numbers have >> Right. Right. >> Thank you. Well, it's Mike's numbers that are on the MOA that Barbara sent me. >> Okay. Any other discussion? Anything else? Danielle, you good? Okay. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Absent? Motion 30 passed. Thank you. Um, second reading and adoption of the following policies. There's Does anybody have any concerns about them? So, I'll pull them out and we'll discuss them separately. Does anybody have any? >> Nothing. All right. Good. >> The second readings. >> Yeah, the second readings. >> N. >> All right. Second
069readings. So, I'm going to just go right down them. All right. >> Yeah. >> I make a motion to approve this. Have a Be careful driving home. Be safe. >> Thanks. I make a make a motion to approve as a second reading and adoption of the following policies. Um, superintendent's duties and responsibilities 200. Superintendent's annual report 2011 Enrollments policy 2020 202 social events calendar policy 203 administration in the absence of policy 204 administration organization policy 301 evaluation of superintendent policy 302 general labor and labor relations practices 220 homeschool instruction policy 310 uma do I >> second I know the homeschool person did reach out through email and She said she was fine with it. Yep. >> So, no any discussion on these? >> No. I'd like to give a shout out to Super Crowley >>
070for going through these and all of these are really >> making a push on this. It's a long overdue effort and it's a lot of work. So, it's greatly appreciated. >> A shout out to Kim for getting [laughter] >> Yeah, it's a lot of policies to touch with back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. That's right. I know. >> Thank you. >> Is your policy book getting thinner? Your policies? Yes, but we still have a lot. Yeah, we still have a few to go. We're in her country now. We're into the human resource policies with the next group. So, yeah. So, we're moving though. We're moving. Very timely. >> It's I know it's very luckily I've done it. So, yeah. >> No. So, was needed and then you'll be all set. You will
071have looked at reviewed as of this year. You know, >> that's incredible. >> We've been talking about this for how many years, Brendan? >> Uh, a long time. So this is >> super difficult because it's like the whole regional piece, you know, we end up doing it twice and some of the things at the region aren't really appropriate here locally at at elementary school. So >> it's phenomenal. >> So thank you. All those in favor? >> I oppose. >> Absentions. All right. So the next one, does anybody have any concerns on any of these first readings? We'll pull them out. >> I I had a couple not spelling things but discussion things. >> All right. So you want to pull them out. Which ones? >> Well, >> all right. So, we'll just go separately. >>
072I just say that we um this was in coordination with the school nurse. So, for some of the medical policies, we talked with uh Kristen. So, just >> so I make a motion to approve the emergency communication to the school committee as a first reading. >> Yeah. >> So, I I think this is great. I mean this is one of the things that has always come up is like when things go out and your priority should always be handling the situation and getting things settled here. Yeah. >> So the only thing I was going to add here just for discussion at the committee level with you is that >> it says the superintendent shall then immediately inform the members of the school committee and appraise them of the problems in the situation. >> I I
073feel like the word immediate is a little too strong there. I would rather you be doing whatever you need to do and like whenever practical uh once take immediate out and just make it >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. You know, like >> as soon as possible as soon as >> just can you just say the superintendent shall then inform the member? >> Yeah. Like within 24 hours or within 12 whatever in a timely manner. >> Yeah. It it want the parents to get to you first. That's why I would say that, you know, but >> parents get to us first. Parents get to us first. You need to handle what you need to handle Facebook and then >> Yeah, that's what I mean. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> The parents are always gonna get to
074us. >> Yes. social media. Yep. >> Okay. All right. >> That was the only thing there. >> All right. So, we're going to change that. All right. So, all all those in favor. >> I opposed. Absentions. All right. I make a motion to approve the automated external defibrill program. >> Oh, crisis emergency plan. I make a pro I make a motion to approve crisis response policy as presented. >> Second. >> Any discussion there? >> I just had a question. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that we're taking the family into consideration. God forbid there ever is a crisis. I think you need to follow the directed from the family as to um >> where where are you? >> Where are you? Yeah. >> So, and how to respond to them. >> It see
075like in reading it, Eileen, it did seem like that was the intent. I know that it said a lot of like there's a lot of consultant family consult. [laughter] >> Yeah. I just wanted to make sure that >> that's the priority >> priority that we are taking the family into consideration first before we anything else because they're already dealing with the crisis let alone >> y >> spreading how do you want did you want to add something >> no I just want to make sure that it's we're we're sensitive something happens and it's just >> yes we are just like something did happen um where two of our children lost their father at you 52 years of [clears throat] age and you we reach out and Yes. >> So I just want to make sure.
076>> Absolutely. >> Yep. >> So is there any language you want to add to this? >> Eileen. She said no. >> Okay. As long as we >> just take a mental note of that's priority. >> So all those in favor. Oh, sorry Brendon. >> I my thought here was that you know we we're a one school district which is a little unique but we serve we kind of feed multiple schools if you think about it. So if there's a way to we we have crisis team members from the affected schools. It's really just this school. >> I think that's appropriate. >> Well, unlessing of that, >> right? >> That's why I said affected school. Okay. >> That's why I put that in there because you do have middle school and high school and that very
077well happen. >> Yeah. >> So that's what the unless you want to add anything more. >> Does that include it by saying >> I think that does if that's the intent. I think >> that was the intent Brendan. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. >> So, you ready for All right. All those in favor? I oppose >> Okay. >> All right. [laughter] >> Yeah, those next are were all done in coordination with Kristen. >> All right. So, >> the school nurse. >> So, can we do any of these together? The AED, the Knacks alone. Can we do any of those together considering they're like medical? All right. Brenda seems like All right. So I make a motion to approve the automated external defibrill program policy as presented. >> Second. >> Okay. >> I think it's phenomenal.
078I think AED training is so important. Um, the only thing I thought here is sometimes we get a little too into the weeds with kind of re uh repeating Rhode Island law into here and it might change, you know, like uh CBR training, they change it like every >> as vague as possible. So the law rather than referring So whatever per Rhode Island general law so it's not so you're not stating the actual language like we do that a lot. Maryanne as an attorney, you've made that recommendation before. So you're not actually putting it in there per Rhode Island general law because the law changes. So rather than >> So you don't want to put it that in there. >> Just reference the law. >> Just per Rhode Island general Law. >> Okay. >> Don't
079don't put the verbiage in from the law. >> Okay. >> I agree. Yeah. Okay. That changes constantly. >> All right. Eliminate verbiage >> and just say P Island general Law. >> Okay. Good. Get. Okay. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed abstensions. I make a motion to approve the Knax alone policy as presented. >> Second. I think this is the last one I had comments for. >> All right, go. >> Uh, yeah, you guys already picked off the school updates. >> Yep, we fixed that one. >> Um, th this one is similar. If we have like Department of Health standards or anything, just refer to those rather than >> put it in there >> putting the actual things because those will like >> they're going to change. So you're talking letter
080B. >> Letter B. Yeah. >> Okay. Just remove that little block box and it's not following all state guidelines, all recommendations and guidelines. >> Correct. Because we kind of get into the weeds a little bit too. And I I'm I'm thrilled to hear that the nurse was involved too, but it includes like, you know, we should do rescue breathing and things which that they change the the guidelines on that a lot too depending on circumstance. And I know there's good Samaritan laws and things, but >> right, >> I don't know that we want to have a policy that's dictating. We can refer to best practices. >> Okay. >> Um, >> but I think it's it's sadly so important to have this one here, too. And do we have >> a lot going on? >> Yeah,
081we do. Yep. >> Good. >> So, Brendan, are you at So, are we changing the verbiage on here? Do you want to just say >> Department of Health standards? >> Yeah. Follow all the Department of Health standards. Yeah. guidelines. Yeah, guidelines are standard. >> All right. So, with those changes, all those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Okay. Is there anything else, Eileen or Brendan, do you have concerns on from A to I? From F to I. >> You can. I'm good with bundling. >> Eileen. >> Diabetes. >> E to I. Nope. Yep. E to I. Thank you. So, I make a motion to approve. Can I just say E to I? Do I have to say each one? >> Say E to I. I make a motion to approve the mo the policies as
082a first reading from the letter E to the letter I as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor first. I'm sorry. Any discussion on any of them? All right. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Absention. So three. >> The next one um Barry actually worked on >> which one? This is >> the pest management >> school facilities policy first and integrated pest management. >> No, we just approved all of them. >> W you went to I >> went to I L. Sorry. Okay. >> I was thinking I was I just want you to know Barry. >> All right. So JK we did E to I. So JK and L pest management medication policy and bids and purchasing. Any concerns? >> Mike did bids and purchasing and integrated pest. Barry did as well
083as policy. >> L correct. >> Yeah. >> Well that was my intent but I can do it. Yeah, it was I was thinking I Yes. >> Okay. >> Mhm. Okay. >> Is that okay with everyone else? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we're good from E to the L. >> And that motion >> pass 300. Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other concerns before we continue on? >> Nope. I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Thank you very much. [laughter] Second >> at 8:00 at night. 7:58 actually. I'm going to my phone. Thank you everyone. Thank you, Mike. So, February 9th, I will see everyone here at 7:30 a.m. >> We'll be right >> after the Patriot game. >> Yeah. 2026 27